Full Casting Announced for Victoria Wood’s Beloved Sitcom Dinnerladies

TV Favourites Sue Cleaver and Karen Henthorn Join Les Dennis for Brand-New Stage Adaptation.

Commissioned by the Victoria Wood Estate, in association with Phil McIntyre Live and Sustainable Entertainment, the production has been adapted by Beth and Emma Kilcoyne and is directed by double Olivier Award-winner Sean Foley. It will premiere at Manchester Opera House in January before touring major theatres across the UK.

Les Dennis (Only Fools and Horses The Musical) leads the cast as dependable maintenance man Stan, while TV favourites Sue Cleaver (Coronation Street) and Karen Henthorn (EastEnders) take on the much-loved roles of sarcastic Jean and sharp-tongued Dolly.

Amy Drake (Brassic, Alma’s Not Normal) steps into the iconic role of kind-hearted Deputy Canteen Manager Bren, originally played by Victoria Wood herself.

Joining them is a host of familiar characters from the original sitcom. Gemma Dobson (A Taste of Honey; Rita, Sue and Bob Too) plays cynical young Twinkle, alongside Faye Weerasinghe (Spitting Image The Musical) as her endearingly naïve co-worker Anita.

Jimmy Fairhurst (Doctors, Emmerdale) takes on the role of mild-mannered Canteen Manager Tony, while Josie Brightwell (Fawlty Towers - The Play) plays Petula, Bren’s chaotic mother.

Rachel Marwood (Waterloo Road) stars as loveable canteen regular Jane, while Rachel Pickup (HBO’s The Gilded Age) portrays scatty Human Resources manager Philippa.

Completing the ensemble are Sarah Dearlove, Alex Frost, Matthew Gordon, Angela Heenan and Tyne Pearson.

The production features a story line drawn directly from the treasured original BBC sitcom, alongside Victoria Wood’s inimitable dialogue, bringing the much-loved characters and their familiar world to the stage.

Speaking on joining the production, Sue Cleaver said: “I am beyond thrilled to be joining the cast of dinnerladies on tour: I was honoured to have a regular role on the show itself and to work alongside the legendary Victoria Wood many moons ago so it’s an absolute joy to be returning to play such a fantastic character as feisty Jean! I cannot wait to get out on the road and whip up a storm in the kitchen alongside such a stellar cast.”

Karen Henthorn said: “This is a proper dream come true for me. I used to love watching dinnerladies as it was such a hilarious and heartwarming sitcom so I cannot wait to bring the snooty snipes from Dolly to life on stage and hear audiences laughing up and down the country.”

Les Dennis added: “I’m lucky enough to say I knew Victoria - she and I performed on the comedy circuit in the 1970s and were both finalists on New Faces. I was always such a fan of her - both as a person, and as a comedic voice. Being part of this tour and seeing these beloved northern working-class characters brought to the stage is a perfect way to keep her legacy alive.”

Originally created, written and starring comedy legend Victoria Wood, dinnerladies ran for two acclaimed series and 16 episodes between 1998 and 2000. The sitcom won widespread critical praise and developed a devoted audience thanks to its warmth, wit and brilliantly observed characters.

Set in the canteen of the fictional Manchester factory HWD Components, the series followed the lives, friendships and workplace dramas of the staff and regulars who gathered there every day. It won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy in 2000.

Now, audiences can step back into the unforgettable world of dinnerladies, with its affectionate portrayal of everyday working British life brought to the stage.

Whether you’re returning to a much-loved favourite or discovering dinnerladies for the first time, the new production promises a hilarious night out filled with heart, nostalgia and plenty of surprises.